Board says it has met provincial deadlines

Earlier this week, the board said it had met all of the deadlines set by the province so far, including sending Hunter a plan for how to help and support students and employees impacted by discrimination.

“Trustees and staff are united in fostering a school board that is welcoming, inclusive and open,” Carruthers said Tuesday, adding “we intend to continue to do what students, parents and stakeholders expect of us. That means transforming public education here in York Region.”

Wallace was at the helm in Simcoe for seven years. She began teaching there in 1977, working in a Grade 2 classroom.

“My priority is student achievement and well-being, including building inclusive learning and working environments, implementing the minister’s directives and continuing the positive work to which the board remains committed,” she said in a statement.

Last month, the ministry concluded a three-month investigation into the York board, identifying a number of problems, including a lack of “strong and ethical leadership” by trustees and Parappally. He was dismissed a week later.

Many parents had told the board, and minister, that things could not move forward without changes at the top.

Parappally was cited in the investigators’ report for his conduct with parents, for creating a “culture of mistrust” — some even disclosed that he had asked them to spy on one another.

He had been awarded an unprecedented, 10-year contract — double the typical length — and a job for life afterwards, which Hunter has said can’t happen again, ordering the board to create a new hiring and job performance appraisal process.